Rhododendron plant named `Purple Passion`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Rhodendron plant is provided that is believed to be a chance seedling of the `Purple Splendour` variety (non-patented in the United States). Attractive large bright deep purple blossoms are formed that are highlighted with white and delicate maroon spots on the throat. A well-branched compact and vigorous growth habit is exhibited. The winter hardness is good in U.S.D.A. Zone 5 and the dark green foliage has shown disease resistance during observations to date. Additionally, the new variety exhibits a good aptitude for rooting from mature cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rhododendron plant of the present invention wasdiscovered during 1974 while growing in a cultivated area of our nurseryat Johnstown, Pa., U.S.A. More specifically, the new variety was foundand selected from among many other plants while growing at the samelocation as open-pollinated seedlings of the `Purple Splendour` variety(non-patented in the United States). As indicated, the new variety isbelieved to trace its parentage to the `Purple Splendour` variety andits different characteristics are of unknown causation. It was the goalof the selection program that resulted in the new variety to provideattractive new plants that are able to well tolerate the harsh wintersof U.S.D.A. Zone 5 at Johnstown, Pa., U.S.A.

It was found that the new cultivar of the present invention exhibits thefollowing combination of characteristics:

(a) forms attractive large bright deep purple blossoms with whitehighlighting and delicate maroon spots on the throat,

(b) forms a well-branched compact and vigorous growth habit,

(c) forms attractive dark green foliage,

(d) exhibits good winter hardiness, and

(e) exhibits a good aptitude for rooting from mature cuttings.

It was found that the new variety of the present invention exhibitsexcellent winter hardiness of the leaves and buds. Ten year-old testplants growing in the landscape at Johnstown, Pa., U.S.A. havesatisfactorily withstood temperatures of -23° F. Also, the ability toform roots on mature cuttings is considered to compare favorably withother previously known varieties that commonly are propagated by thismeans.

It has been found at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A. that all of thecharacteristics of the new variety are strictly transmissible to theoffspring created by the rooting of cuttings.

When compared to the `Purple Splendour` variety, the new variety of thepresent invention has been found to exhibit blossoms that are of aconsiderably more intense and darker purple coloration, to form darkergreen foliage, to exhibit superior disease resistance, and to exhibitsuperior winter hardiness.

The new variety has been named `Purple Passion` and is being marketed byThe Conard-Pyle Company under the HIGHLAND trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of plant partsobtained from the new variety of Rhododendron plant of the presentinvention as depicted in color as true as is reasonably possible to makethe same in color illustrations of this character. The plants were threeyears of age and were grown at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A. The photographswere prepared indoors during April 1996 following forcing employingeight weeks of cold storage of container grown plants that previouslyhad been grown outdoors.

FIG. 1 illustrates specimens of three mature leaves of the new varietywith the upper surface being shown at the left and center and the undersurface being shown at the right.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical flower truss of the new variety with theupper foliage surfaces being depicted.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical flower truss of the new variety from theside wherein some of the corolla have been removed so as to reveal theattachment of the corolla.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further typical flower truss of the new varietywherein the upper and under surfaces of the foliage also are visible, aswell as the reproductive elements.

FIG. 5 illustrates a typical floret of the new variety together withunopened flower buds.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further typical floret of the new variety whereinthe reproductive elements including near white stamens readily arevisible. The broad funnel shape of the floret is depicted. The nearwhite stamens contract nicely with the deep purple coloration of thelobes of the floret.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new Rhododendron varietyof the present invention with color terminology in accordance with TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.In some instances more general color terms are used that are to beaccorded their customary dictionary significance. The description wasprepared from the study of five year-old plants growing in a soillessmedium during late May at West Grove, Pa., U.S.A.

Likely parentage: `Purple Splendour` Rhododendron (non-patented in theUnited States).

Plant:

Size.--A field grown 10 to 15 year-old plant of the new variety whengrown in U.S.D.A. Zone 5 is anticipated to assume a height ofapproximately 4 to 6 feet and a width of approximately 4 to 5 feet.Plants of the new variety when 3 years of age and grown in containerscommonly exhibit a height of approximately 30 inches and a width ofapproximately 24 inches.

Habit.--Well-branched, vigorous, and compact.

Foliage:

Type.--Evergreen flowering shrub, semi-glossy lanceolate leaves withacute apex, and obtuse and entire margins.

Size.--Mature leaves growing midway up the stem commonly areapproximately 9 to 12 cm. in length and approximately 3.7 to 4.9 cm. inwidth. Average leaf dimensions commonly are approximately 10.75 cm. inlength and approximately 4.3 cm. in width.

Color.--Dark green, Green Group 139A on the upper surface, and lightergreen, Yellow-Green Group 146C on the under surface. See particularlyFIG. 1, as well as the other figures where foliage is visible.

Branches:

Color.--Sheele's Green, Green Group 143C on mature one year-old wood,and Yellow-Green Group 145A on mature wood formed during current year.

Flowers:

Period.--Blooms approximately May 20th when cultured at U.S.D.A. Zone 5Johnstown, Pa., USA.

Truss shape.--Generally as a ball.

Corolla shape.--As a broad funnel as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Number of lobes.--Five lobes per floret.

Margin of lobes.--Some waviness.

Fragrance.--None.

Truss size.--Commonly approximately 13.5 to 18 cm. in diameter, andapproximately 9 cm. in height.

Corolla per truss.--Commonly approximately 12 to 16.

Corolla size.--Approximately 5 cm. in length and approximately 7.5 cm.in width.

Calyx size.--Approximately 2 mm. in length.

Color.--Buds: Purple Group 78B tipped with Purple Group 79C. Insideflower: Purple Group 78B commonly with white highlighting and delicatemaroon spots on the throat. The spots, as illustrated in FIG. 4, oftenare concentrated towards the centers of the petals and commonly arePurple Group 77A with a halo of Red-Purple Group 72A sometimes beingpresent around such spots. Outside flower: Purple-Violet Group 82A.Fully open flower: Commonly Purple-Violet Group 82A edged with PurpleGroup 77A.Calyx: Yellow-Green Group 144B and blushed with Red-PurpleGroup 72A. Stamens: Bright, and near white in coloration.

Winter hardiness: Has survived harsh winters in U.S.D.A. Zone 5 atJohnstown, Pa., U.S.A.

Disease resistance: During observations to date the foliage has beendisease resistant.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rhodendron plant,characterized particularly as to novelty by the following combination ofcharacteristics:(a) forms attractive large bright deep purple blossomswith white highlighting and delicate maroon spots on the throat, (b)forms a well-branched compact and vigorous growth habit, (c) formsattractive dark green foliage, (d) exhibits good winter hardiness, and(e) exhibits a good aptitude for rooting from maturecuttings.substantially as herein shown and described.